ANANTAPUR: District Collector D. Kadmiel has warned those in illegal possession of assigned lands to surrender them voluntarily to the Government by April 29 to avoid prosecution or else face criminal cases, prosecution and seizure of lands.

As per Andhra Pradesh Assignment Act, 1977, illegal possession and cultivation of such lands was a crime. Those who were cultivating such lands in violation of the Act would face criminal cases if they failed to surrender the lands voluntarily by April 29.

About 7,40,526 acres land has been assigned to 2,51,569 landless poor in the district since the Assignment Act came into force. Verification of the position of such lands was ordered by the Chief Commissioner of Land Revenue and in the verification of 5,78,937 acres land assigned to 1,94,846 poor families, it was revealed that 9,758 acres of 3,080 beneficiaries was in others' possession.

Notices served

The Tehsildars concerned had already served notices on those identified with illegal possession of assigned lands and they would be seized by the administration if the occupants failed to surrender them, the Collector said on Tuesday. Verification of the remaining assigned lands was also in progress and it would be completed by the completion of next round of Praja Patham, he stated.

He suggested even those who did not receive notices but in possession of assigned lands to surrender the lands to the Government before facing any prosecution.

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